Brave Jo Brown, who suffers from ME, has shaved off all her hair to raise money for victims.

Overnight the 23-year-old went from being a funloving trainee pilot to someone who can barely leave her bedroom.

But she has sacrificed her hair to raise #800 for the Association of Young People with ME, (AYME) a support group for those under 25 with the condition.

She believes AYME has improved her quality of life by putting her in touch with other sufferers.

Jo of Allenheads, Northumberland, said: "People didn't understand the illness and told me to pull myself together but now I am in touch with people who completely understand it.

"I'm glad to do what I can for AYME and would love even more sponsorship."

ME affects an estimated 150,000 people in the UK.

Also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome, its symptoms include muscle pain, headaches, muddled thinking, mood swings and extreme fatigue.

About 50 per cent of sufferers say they have contemplated suicide because they are often bedbound.

But there is light at the end of the tunnel because many sufferers get better after a few years and although there is no treatment there are alternative therapies available. If you want to make a donation write to Mitchmay, Allenheads, Hexham.